I'm doing a little better today. Mainly trying to keep my mind of the events of this past week. Too many deaths...polar opposites in impact. Goblin was expected and I'm grateful that she went peacefully, without pain. I have been preparing for her passing for months and I felt a sense of relief when she finally went. She was nothing but skin and bones and so feeble (but what an appetite!). She ate well up until the day she died which is why we didn't make that decision. It was day be day with her but in the end, she chose when to go.

Flappy was different. So sudden and so not right. He was young and full of life and was fine. I don't know what caused him to pass. I am having a necrosy done on him to hopefully get some answers.

Its been a pretty bad week.

I dont even know what to say right now except I am shocked and devastated at the sudden loss of Flapjack today. I loved this little bat so much.

I miss you

last weigh in!

I had my last weigh in at the diet class (I decided to take the extra 2 weeks and not weigh in at the beginning of the month as planned). The good news is that it paid off! I lost 7lbs since my last weigh in last month! I was so excited!

So now its a waiting (weighting? haha) game. I should know in about 3 weeks whether I have been approved or not from my insurance company. From there it should take another 3 weeks to get on the surgery books. So I figure about the end of April or beginning of May should be the time that my whole life begins to change!

Farewell little friend

                                                                                            Goblin 2008-2012

Bittersweet

A fellow bat friend just excitedly informed me that they posted the Bat blitz info. She is planning on going since its in the Florida panhandle this year(!). Usually, I end up having to drive to SC, NC or GA or somewhere in that area so what a treat that its finally close to home! To make things even more awesome, they plan on doing a survey at the GTM reserve where my batty friend is a biologist. She has been working with a bat biologist from my area (did not even know that he was so close to me when I met him last fall!) to set this up for almost a year. Great plans have been made and executed and finally confirmation of all this awesome battyness.

But I can't go.

The blitz is happening right when I am midway through my Ireland trip. Its not usually until mid to late summer, but alas I am assuming since its Florida and practically summer year round, the event was moved up a few months (?) Who knows, le sigh, I was so hoping (and counting on) the usual scheduling. So while I will be walking through old castles and looking for pots of gold (or lucky charms?) in the green hills of the emerald isle. My beloved blitz will be happening in practically my own back yard. sniffle.

Don't get me wrong, I am SO happy that I have this chance to go to Ireland. There will be many more blitzes, most likely. This one was special though in that I could really network with bat biologists in my own state. Especially, since I'm having doubts about vet school.  I WANT to go to vet school more than anything. Being a veterinarian is part of the Ultimate Goal, however I am having a really hard time with some of the math and chem. I'm just not sure if I can get through it. I hate having doubts, but I am also facing a real reality that it may be the universe telling me its just not in my Plan. Maybe I am supposed to go into field biology like I initally intended.

Time will tell.

So, sadly, the bat blitz for 2012 is off the list due to scheduling conflicts. I do have another bat opp although less field related. The NASBR conference is in the fall so I am planning on making that happen.

Sleepy gets a garden

Mariana and I planted sleepy a garden! We used a busser's tub for the wheat and sweet oat grass, a window planter box for dandelions and we bought a hibiscus shrub and planted it in large pot until we figure out where we will put it permanently in the backyard. I also made to small pots of grass and dandelion so that I can put them directly into his enclosure for some enrichment as well as natural grazing practice. Im sure he feels weird eating out of a dish.

I cant wait to see the results of our hard work!

Algeblah

I hate math. Specifically, math tests. I am feeling quite screwed.

2012

I've decided to list here some of the upcoming events that are confirmed for this year as well as some events/goals I would like to at least get started on as well. I plan on referencing it often and since my New Years resolution was to blog more here, this will "make" me do it, haha!

**I decided to make it part of my page as opposed to an entry. This should make it easier for me to reference over time instead of searching for it***


I am sure I will be adding more and some of these have subpoints that go along with them but I dont want to overwhelm my list! Its already mid-february so I need to get on this already.

My eye is still weird. But, not as weird, haha. Personally, I think its viral but whatevs. I also had to go back to the expensive allergy meds with D since the rx the nurse practitioner gave me dosent do crap. I think my next move is an allergist to finally get the relief I need.

Dr. What (as in whats wrong with my eye)

I look like I have gone 6 rounds with Rocky for the past week. My eye has been all puffy and teary and red and I couldnt open it completely. Bu, alas, no pain! Like at all. It didnt hurt, it was more annoying than anything.

I figured it was allergies but my zyrtec-D was not helping so I bit the bullet and went to the doctor this morning. I was expecting a viral or bacterial conjunctivitis or something but instead I was told I had a corneal ulcer! huh?

Corneal ulcers in animals are VERY painful. I was not very painful, or even remotely painful. Pain was not even in the adjectives I used to describe the eye issue to the doc, but thats what they diagnosed (they said I had fluorecine dye uptake) and sent me to an ophthalmologist STAT. The irony was not lost on me,lol.

I was like, okay... maybe its different in people? Maybe its different pain receptors in animals that cause them to go spastic when you attempt to touch their (very obvious) red, squinting, painful eye upon examination? Needless to say, I was doubtful. But whatevs, I figured something is bothering me and who better than an eye doctor to figure it out. My doc's office did all the legwork and got me the appt this afternoon. At least I didnt have to call and all that.

The eye doctor was very nice, older and he wore a bow tie like Dr. Who (how cool is that!). As soon as he introduced himself you could tell he was doubtful it was a corneal ulcer without even getting all exam-y. He told me so. He said that they are very painful, red eye and you sometimes can see a spot...ha! I knew it!

However, it did turn out that I had a piece of fabric fiber stuck under my eyelid that was probably doing all the irritating. It was super tiny he said but enought to where he thought that it was probably the culprit. I agree, cuz I have been home an hour and it already feels 100% better.

yay for bowtied Doctors! haha!

**update: turns out I had a corneal abrasion when I went for a recheck since my eye was back to being puffy and irritated the following morning. Guess the fabric did some damage! He was surprised I was not in pain! I told him that I am a tough nut to crack when it comes to pain, haha. High tolerance I guess.  Anyway, it was small but he said it was healing so sent home with meds and to heal!***

I've been on a crash diet the past week to try and shave off a few more pounds before Monday's final weigh in. I rarely weigh myself but I decided to see if I had at least lost a few pounds. Well, as of yesterday at least, I had lost 5!

I have deviated slightly since then (I know, I know) but not much. Monday is the moment of truth and the final step in getting the ball rolling! Lets see what iit brings!